JP2019136495A - Electrotherapy device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electrotherapy device capable of gradually increasing stimulation intensity.SOLUTION: A voltage regulation circuit 12 is provided in an electrotherapy device 1. The voltage regulation circuit 12 is electrically connected to each of a DC power supply unit 11, a control unit 13, and a pulse output circuit 15. The voltage regulation circuit 12 can regulate the voltage output to the pulse output circuit 15 according to a first control signal received from the control unit 13. In order for pulse waveforms of current pulses output from the pulse output circuit 15 to vary in amplitude such that the pulse output circuit 15 can output an output current to at least one electrode sheet, stimulation intensity is allowed to gradually increase from a low value to a predetermined value. The electrotherapy device can thus stimulate corresponding acupoints on a human body with gradually increasing intensity and thereby simulate the forces and tactile sensations of a typical manual massage on those acupoints by hand.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrotherapy apparatus, and more particularly to an electrotherapy apparatus that can output pulse waveforms of various current pulse signals, and that can gradually increase stimulation intensity.

Physiotherapy (Physiotherapy) is a very important part of modern and traditional medicine, mainly using physical elements such as light, electricity, water, cold, heat, force, and exercise therapy. It is to evaluate and treat the problem.
Among them, “electric therapy” has characteristics such as pain reduction, muscle strengthening, relaxation or prevention of muscle atrophy, reduction of muscle spasm and promotion of blood circulation of the skin, so that more and more people are treated as treatment Accepts “electric therapy”.

Currently, there are many methods of “electric therapy”, such as low frequency electrical stimulation (or percutaneous peripheral nerve electrical stimulation), medium frequency interference waves, and the like.
Among them, low frequency electrical stimulation uses a low frequency (usually 0-100Hz) with a frequency of 1,000Hz or less. In actual use, electrical therapy stimulation signals generated by the electrotherapy device (electrical nerve stimulation pulses) ) Stimulates nerves by passing through an electrode sheet affixed to the skin of the human body, thereby obtaining an analgesic effect.
Medium frequency interference waves use frequencies between 1,000-1,000,000 Hz, but electromagnetic waves generate heat when they exceed 10,000 Hz, so in clinical practice, medium frequencies between 1,000 Hz and 10,000 Hz are both used. It is used. In actual use, two sets of electrode sheets are generally used for medium frequency interference waves, and the frequency difference is between 0-100Hz, for example, 2,100Hz and 2,000Hz. The medium frequency passes through the skin by the electrode sheet, current interference occurs in the deep tissue, and a low frequency of 0-100 Hz is generated.
Thus, the therapeutic purpose can be effectively achieved by stimulating muscles using an appropriate current by the above method.

“Electric therapy” has a significant effect on reducing pain (eg low back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ligament injury, tendonitis, myofascial pain syndrome, etc.) In addition to using "electric therapy", the use of drugs (such as analgesics) has been reduced.
Furthermore, because “electric therapy” has electrical stimulation and can contract muscles to maintain the ability of muscles and joints to act, medical personnel can use the electrode sheet to generate electromagnetic waves with appropriate waveforms, amplitudes and frequencies. It is possible to stimulate the patient's treatment site and "electric therapy" is used for pain treatment and disease rehabilitation.

However, while the applicant has been engaged in the technical field of the present invention for many years and has been paying attention to the development of related technology for a long time, two of the electrotherapy devices used in the conventional “electrotherapy” are faced. I noticed the problem.
That is, (1) discomfort and fear (i.e., comfort level) given to the user by stimulation pain, and (2) constant regulation of nerves (i.e., sensory (nerve cell) system) to fixed stimuli. Changes (reduces) over time, or the regulation of the user's somatic nervous system (ie, the problem of accommodation paralysis), the stimulation of electrotherapy is effective in reducing pain and promoting muscle condition Each problem is as described below.

((1) “Comfort level” problem)
Please refer to FIG. A known electrotherapy apparatus normally outputs corresponding electrotherapy pulse waveforms S1 to S3 based on a set of predetermined waveforms.
Among them, each of the electrotherapy pulse waveforms S1 to S3 is formed by a plurality of pulse currents, and each of the pulse waveforms S1 to S3 is fixed at a high level (rectangular wave form or the like) at the start of output. That is, the user suddenly feels a strong stimulating force, causing the user to feel discomfort and pain. This explains why some users refuse "electric therapy" because they are afraid of pain.

((2) “Accommodation” problem)
In general, if the intensity, wavelength, frequency and inter-wave rest time of the stimulus applied to the user during the electrotherapy period are fixed, the perceived level of the user's stimulus strength and the actual fixed stimulus force The response of nerves and muscles decreases with time even if the intensity of stimulation is not actually changed.
To respond to the gradual decline in sensory and somatic responses, the user or physical therapist performing electrical therapy usually increases the intensity, manually changes the frequency of the pulse current, or manually Changing the pulse current waveform to prevent nerve adjustment, but for users and physiotherapists, it is necessary to manually operate the electrotherapy device in a way that is appropriate for the user. Very difficult and inconvenient.
Nonetheless, if you do not manually change the intensity, frequency, waveform and pause time, or if it is not done appropriately, it can be an uncomfortable and ineffective treatment experience.

  Thus, the problem presented by the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks in the prior art, provide a user with painless and comfortable TENS and EMS stimulation, and further provide the user with programmed modulation TENS and EMS stimulation. It is to prevent nerve regulation, and to make pain reduction and muscle condition enhancement by electrotherapy more effective.

The user's “Accommodation” is a weakness that cannot be imitated by the weakness of massage by human hand, which is a drawback existing in the use of conventional electrotherapy products, and the single and unchanging stimulation intensity. Based on the inventor's many years of research and development experience, many researches, tests, and improvements have been made, and as a result, more than 100 unique sensory variable combination stimuli can be output. Succeeded.
This unique device provides itself with the ability to provide intensity ramp-up, waveform modulation, frequency modulation, and inter-wave pause time modulation, as disclosed below, for controlled paralysis or somatic throughout the entire treatment period. By preventing nerve regulation, it provides the user with a painless, comfortable and relaxing massage-like sensation, and at the same time, greatly improves the device's pain relief and muscular condition enhancement effects.
Also, it is not necessary for the user / physical therapist to manually change the intensity, waveform, frequency or pause time during the treatment period.
The electrotherapeutic device of the present invention can provide a better user experience than those that are similar in action in the prior art, and can provide better pain relief and increased muscle condition.

The present invention provides an electrotherapy device capable of gradually increasing the stimulation intensity, and provides modulation of waveform, frequency and inter-stimulus pause time to prevent accommodation paralysis and adjustment of the user's somatic nervous system. It is an object.
The electrotherapy apparatus includes at least a DC power supply unit, a control unit, a pulse output circuit, and at least one set of electrode sheets.
Among them, the DC power supply unit can provide the power required by the electrotherapy apparatus, the control unit can transmit a plurality of control signals to the pulse output circuit, and the pulse output circuit receives power from the DC power supply unit. After receiving power, a current pulse signal having a predetermined waveform can be generated and the current pulse signal can be transmitted to each electrode sheet.
The present invention is characterized in that the electrotherapy apparatus further includes a voltage adjustment circuit.
The voltage adjustment circuit is electrically connected to the DC power supply unit, the control unit and the pulse output circuit, respectively, and can adjust the voltage output to the pulse output circuit according to the first control signal sent from the control unit. The pulse waveform of the current pulse signal output from the pulse output circuit can exhibit amplitude fluctuations, gradually increasing the output current from a small current to a predetermined value, and the stimulation intensity of each electrode sheet for the acupuncture points of the human body By gradually increasing the force from weak to strong, it is possible to imitate the force and tactile pressure of the human hand pressing on the acupuncture points.

  In order that the purpose, technical features and advantages of the present invention may be better appreciated and understood, the following examples are set forth in detail in conjunction with the drawings.

It is the schematic of the pulse waveform for electrotherapy output from a known electrotherapy apparatus. It is a hardware block diagram of the electrotherapy apparatus of the present invention. It is the schematic of the pulse waveform for electrotherapy output from the electrotherapy apparatus of this invention. It is a circuit diagram of the electrotherapy apparatus of this invention. It is a circuit diagram of the voltage adjustment circuit of this invention. It is the schematic of the control signal output from the control unit of this invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pulse waveform of a known electrotherapy product. FIG. It is the schematic of the pulse waveform of the electrotherapy apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic of another pulse waveform of the electrotherapy apparatus of this invention. It is a circuit diagram of the output control circuit of the present invention. It is the schematic of the control signal output from the control unit of this invention. The present invention is one form of a pulse waveform that can be output and used. The present invention is another form of pulse waveform that can be output and used. The present invention is another form of pulse waveform that can be output and used.

Applicants are not only reducing the pain they feel when they massage acupuncture points, but usually gradually increasing their pressure, so that they can gradually adapt to their strength. I realized that it gives me the comfort of acupoint massage. Therefore, the applicant has designed an electrotherapy apparatus capable of gradually increasing the stimulation intensity of the present invention based on the above characteristics. Please refer to FIG.
In one embodiment, the electrotherapy apparatus 1 includes at least a DC power supply unit 11 (such as a dry cell), a control unit 13, a pulse output circuit 15, and at least one electrode sheet 17.
Among them, the DC power supply unit 11 (battery or the like) can provide power necessary for the operation of the electrotherapy apparatus 1, and the control unit 13 can transmit a plurality of control signals to the pulse output circuit 15, After the pulse output circuit 15 receives power from the DC power supply unit 11, a current pulse signal having a predetermined waveform can be generated and the current pulse signal can be transmitted to each electrode sheet 17, and the current corresponding to each electrode sheet 17 A pulse signal can be output to form a corresponding massage technique.
The “massage technique” here refers to a method of imitating massage by a human hand, such as changing the interval between adjacent current pulse signals, changing the strength of current pulse signals, and the like.

It should be particularly noted here that the connection relationship between the power supply unit 11, the control unit 13, the pulse output circuit 15 and the electrode sheet 17 is usually a well-known hardware architecture of an electrotherapy apparatus. Separately adds the following technical features: Refer to FIG. 2 again.
In the present embodiment, the electrotherapy apparatus 1 further includes a voltage adjustment circuit 12.
Among them, the voltage adjustment circuit 12 is electrically connected to the DC power supply unit 11, the control unit 13 and the pulse output circuit 15, respectively, and the control unit 13 generates a first control signal and The voltage adjustment circuit 12 can adjust the voltage output to the pulse output circuit 15 according to the first control signal, and the pulse waveforms P1 and P2 of the current pulse signal output from the pulse output circuit 15 are The output electric energy can be gradually increased from a small current to a predetermined value by causing an amplitude fluctuation (gradually increasing from a low level to a predetermined high level as indicated by an imaginary circle in FIG. 3).
At this time, the stimulation intensity of each electrode sheet 17 with respect to the human body (eg, acupuncture points) gradually increases from weak to strong, thereby imitating the force and tactile sensation of pressing the acupuncture points with human hands.

To disclose the above technical features in detail, please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG. 4 includes a circuit diagram of the hardware architecture of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 includes a circuit diagram of the voltage regulator circuit 12.
In this embodiment, the voltage adjustment circuit 12 includes a first resistor R1, a first transistor Q1, a second transistor Q2, a third resistor R3, and a first capacitor C1.
Among them, one end of the first register R1 can receive the first control signal sent from the control unit 13, the other end is connected to the base (B, base) of the first transistor Q1, The emitter (E, Emitter) of one transistor Q1 is grounded, the collector (C, Collector) of the first transistor Q1 is connected to one end of the second register R2, and the other end of the second register R2 is the base of the second transistor Q2. (B), the emitter (E) of the second transistor Q2 is connected to the pulse output circuit 15, and the collector (C) of the second transistor Q2 can receive the power sent from the DC power supply unit 11. In addition, one end of the third resistor R3 can be connected to the collector (C) of the second transistor Q2, and the other end of the third resistor R3 is the second resistor. Can be connected to one end of the transistor Q2 of the base (B) and a first capacitor C1, the other end of the first capacitor C1 is grounded.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows control signals output from the control unit 13. Among them, the control signal (waveform) of A1 is output to the voltage adjustment circuit 12, and the control signal (waveform) of A2 to A4 is an initial massage technique waveform and is output to other circuits (pulse output circuit 15 and the like). These initial massage technique waveforms can be combined with various final massage technique waveforms desired by the user.
The operating principle of the voltage adjustment circuit 12 will be described.
First, before the first register R1 receives the first control signal, the first register R1 is in a low level (or low level), and the first transistor Q1 is in an off state, The capacitor C1 is saturated.
Thereafter, before A2 to A4 output the initial massage technique waveform, A1 first outputs one pulse (that is, the first control signal) to the first register R1.
At this time, the first transistor Q1 is in a conducting state, the first capacitor C1 starts discharging, the first capacitor C1 completes discharging before the pulse ends, and the first resistor R1 is set to the low level. In the above process, the second transistor Q2 is first changed from the off state to the conductive state, and then changed from the conductive state to the amplified state to reach the saturated state. It reaches.
When the first capacitor C1 starts charging, the current flowing through the second transistor Q2 can be gradually increased by starting the output of the initial massage technique waveform corresponding to A2 to A4. As a result, the pulse waveform (that is, the final massage technique waveform) output from the pulse output circuit 15 can exhibit amplitude fluctuations (as shown in FIG. 3).

Refer to FIGS. 4 and 5 again. In addition to the above effects, the voltage regulator circuit 12 of the present invention has still another effect. That is, the voltage adjustment circuit 12 can eliminate the interference caused to the pulse waveform output from the booster circuit at the moment when the electrotherapy apparatus 1 starts output. In order to show the difference between the electrotherapy apparatus 1 of the present invention and a known electrotherapy product in detail, reference is made to FIGS.
7A to 7B are those obtained by capturing the waveform output screens of the well-known electrotherapy product and electrotherapy apparatus 1 as they are, and thus related data and characters of the test can be seen. In the following, the analysis performed on the pulse waveforms N1 and N2 will be mainly described. Therefore, the test data and characters are not particularly described, but it should be understood that the technical characteristics of the entire plan are not affected. .
In general, well-known electrotherapy products are usually provided with a booster circuit.
FIG. 7A is a test result of HV-F128 marketed by OMRON, which is a well-known electrotherapy product. In this case, when the user increases the step dial of a well-known electrotherapy product to increase the voltage (for example, up to 92 volts), each pulse waveform is clearly seen from the imaginary line frame in FIG. 7A. N1 is both subject to interference and is initially high and stable later, but this phenomenon causes extreme maladjustment to the human body. In other words, each pulse waveform N1 output by a known electrotherapy product causes a very large impact to the human body. Especially when the elderly uses a well-known electrotherapy product, this damage is further increased. Easily put on.
On the other hand, referring again to FIG. 7B, when the user increases the voltage by raising the step dial (not shown) of the electrotherapy apparatus 1 of the present invention (not shown), the imaginary line of FIG. As can be clearly seen from the frame location, the pulse waveform N2 output from the electrotherapy apparatus 1 of the present invention maintains the original slowly rising characteristic. That is, the voltage adjusting circuit 12 of the present invention can reliably eliminate interference caused by the booster circuit with respect to the output pulse waveform N2.

Of particular note here is that in known electrotherapy products, only a circuit structure approximating the pulse output circuit 15 is usually provided. This is mainly due to the fact that the well-known electrotherapy product “massage technique” is so simple and simple that there is no need to output complex and multivariate pulse waveforms.
However, the effect and purpose to be achieved by the present invention are to enable output of a complex and multi-variable waveform Q, to imitate more than 100 kinds of “massage techniques”, and to appropriately set the stimulation intensity felt by the user. In order to reduce the occurrence of the problem of “Accommodation” by making changes, the applicant has added an output control circuit 14 in the electrotherapy apparatus 1 in particular, and the output control circuit 14 is then By linking with the pulse output circuit 15 of the stage, it is possible to output a complicated and multivariate pulse waveform Q (as shown in FIG. 8).
Please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. In the present embodiment, the output control circuit 14 is electrically connected to each of the voltage adjustment circuit 12, the control unit 13, and the pulse output circuit 15, and receives the second control signal sent from the control unit 13, and The power sent from the voltage adjustment circuit 12 can be received.

4 and 9 again, the output control circuit 14 includes a fourth register R4, a third transistor Q3, a fourth transistor Q4, and a sixth register R6.
Among them, one end of the fourth register R4 can receive the second control signal sent from the control unit, and the other end can be connected to the base (B) of the third transistor Q3. The emitter (E) of the third transistor Q3 is grounded, the collector (C) of the third transistor Q3 is connected to one end of the fifth register R5, and the base (E) of the fourth transistor Q4 is the other end of the fifth register R5. The collector (C) of the fourth transistor Q4 is connected to the pulse output circuit 15, the emitter (E) of the fourth transistor Q4 is connected to the emitter (E) of the second transistor Q2, and the sixth resistor R6 Can be connected to the base (B) of the fourth transistor Q4, and the other end is connected to the emitter (E) of the fourth transistor Q4.

The operation principle of the output control circuit 14 will be described. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 9 to 10, the control signal (waveform) of B 1 is output to the voltage adjustment circuit 12. The control signal (waveform) B2 is an initial massage technique waveform and is output to the output control circuit 14. The control signals (waveforms) B3 to B4 are other initial massage technique waveforms, and are output to other circuits (such as the pulse output circuit 15). With these initial massage technique waveforms, the pulse output circuit 15 outputs a pulse waveform as shown in FIG. 8 (that is, the final massage technique waveform).
When the second control signal is at a high level (or high level) after the fourth register R4 receives the second control signal (that is, the waveform output by B2), the third transistor Q3 and the fourth transistor Transistor Q4 is turned on in turn.
On the other hand, when the second control signal is at a low level, the power (that is, the waveform) that the output control circuit 14 sends to the pulse output circuit 15 is caused by causing the third transistor Q3 and the fourth transistor Q4 to be in an off state. Form) is adjusted. As a result, the pulse waveform output from the pulse output circuit 15 is adjusted. Thus, by combining the output control circuit 14 and the pulse output circuit 15, massage techniques such as squeezing, squeezing and tapping, and from weak to strong The force can be effectively imitated to give the user a feeling that a person is massaging. At the same time, in order to imitate various massage techniques, the electrotherapy apparatus of the present invention can output the corresponding pulse waveform by adjusting the stimulation intensity, frequency or waveform of the pulse current, as shown in FIGS. In FIG. 11A, the waveform form is J1, the frequency is 46 Hz, and the waveform duration of J1 is 5.4 seconds, which continuously circulates.
In FIG. 11B, the waveform form is J2, its frequency is 30 Hz, and the waveform duration of J2 is 6.5 seconds, continuously circulating.
In FIG. 11C, the waveform form is J3, its frequency is 15 Hz, and the waveform duration of J3 is 6.5 seconds, continuously circulating.
In this way, the user does not feel only the same stimulation intensity, thereby reducing the occurrence of the user's “Accommodation” problem, and the physical therapist always manually adjusts the pulse intensity. There is no need to make adjustments, and the user can feel effects such as reduction of pain and enhancement of muscle condition caused by electric therapy.
It should be noted that FIGS. 11A to 11C only show different pulse waveforms, and the waveforms of J1 to J3 also have a feature that the output current in the above embodiment gradually increases from a small current. Please understand that.

In addition, in order to maintain normal operation when the battery of the electrotherapy apparatus 1 is at a low f electric energy, the present invention further adds a step-up voltage stabilization circuit 16 in the electrotherapy apparatus 1. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the step-up voltage stabilization circuit 16 is provided between the DC power supply unit 11 and the control unit 13 and can receive a DC current sent from the DC power supply unit 11. A direct current can be output to the control unit 13 with one voltage (3 volts or the like). In the state where the voltage of the direct current sent from the direct current power supply unit 11 falls below the threshold value, the step-up voltage stabilizing circuit 16 performs a step-up process on the direct current, whereby the direct current is supplied to the control unit 13 with the first voltage. Can continue to output.
As a point to be mentioned here, FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the boost voltage stabilizing circuit 16 separately, in which “Batt — 3V” is a DC power supply unit 11 (battery or the like), The location of “Vcc — 3V” is connected to the control unit 13 to prevent the circuit from becoming too complex.

  The foregoing is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims claimed by the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily conceive modifications that can achieve the same effects based on the technical contents disclosed by the present invention, and they do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention.

S1 to S3 Pulse waveform 1 Electrotherapy device 11 DC power supply unit 12 Voltage adjustment circuit 13 Control unit 14 Output control circuit 15 Pulse output circuit 16 Boost type voltage stabilization circuit 17 Electrode sheet P1, N1, N2, Q Pulse waveform Q1 First Transistor Q2 2nd transistor Q3 3rd transistor Q4 4th transistor R1 1st register R2 2nd register R3 3rd register R4 4th register R5 5th register R6 6th register C1 1st capacitor A1-A4, B1-B4 Control signal (Waveform)
J1-J3 waveform form

Claims (4)

An electrotherapy apparatus capable of gradually increasing stimulation intensity, comprising at least a DC power supply unit, a control unit, a pulse output circuit and at least one electrode sheet, and a voltage adjustment circuit,
The DC power supply unit can provide power required by the electrotherapy device,
The control unit can transmit a plurality of control signals to the pulse output circuit,
The pulse output circuit can generate a current pulse signal having a predetermined waveform after receiving power from the DC power supply unit, and the current pulse signal can be transmitted to each electrode sheet,
The voltage adjustment circuit is electrically connected to the DC power supply unit, the control unit, and the pulse output circuit, and outputs a voltage to the pulse output circuit according to a first control signal sent from the control unit. The pulse waveform of the current pulse signal output from the pulse output circuit can exhibit amplitude fluctuations, and the output current is gradually increased from a small current to a predetermined value. An electrotherapy apparatus characterized in that by gradually increasing the stimulation intensity of each of the electrode sheets to a force, a human hand can imitate the force and tactile pressure of pressing acupoints. The voltage adjustment circuit includes:
A first register whose one end can receive a first control signal sent from the control unit;
A base connected to the other end of the first resistor, an emitter grounded, and a collector connected to one end of the second register;
A base connected to the other end of the second resistor, an emitter connected to the pulse output circuit, a collector connected to the second transistor capable of receiving power sent from the DC power supply unit;
A third resistor having one end connected to the collector of the second transistor and the other end connected to the base of the second transistor;
A first capacitor having one end connected to the base of the second transistor and the other end grounded;
Before the first register receives the first control signal, the first register is in a low level, the first transistor is in an off state, and the first capacitor is in a saturated state. And
After the first register receives the first control signal, the first transistor becomes conductive, the first capacitor starts discharging, and the discharging of the first capacitor is completed. 1 register is restored to a low level, and charging of the first capacitor is started,
During the process, the second transistor is first changed from the OFF state to the conductive state, and then changed from the conductive state to the amplified state to reach the saturated state, and thus the current flowing through the second transistor can be gradually increased. The electrotherapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pulse waveform output from the pulse output circuit can be gradually increased from a low level to a predetermined high level. Power that is electrically connected to each of the voltage adjustment circuit, the control unit, and the pulse output circuit, receives a second control signal sent from the control unit, and is sent from the voltage adjustment circuit Can receive power,
A fourth register, one end of which can receive the second control signal sent from the control unit;
A third transistor having a base connected to the other end of the fourth resistor, an emitter grounded, and a collector connected to one end of the fifth resistor;
A base connected to the other end of the fifth register, a collector connected to the pulse output circuit, an emitter connected to the emitter of the second transistor, and a fourth transistor;
An output control circuit further comprising: a sixth register having one end connected to the base of the fourth transistor and the other end connected to the emitter of the fourth transistor;
If the second control signal is at a high level after the fourth register receives the second control signal, the third transistor and the fourth transistor are sequentially turned on, and the second control signal is When the signal is at a low level, the power output from the output control circuit to the pulse output circuit is adjusted by causing the third transistor and the fourth transistor to be in an off state. The electrotherapy apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pulse waveform output from the terminal is adjusted. A booster provided between the DC power supply unit and the control unit, capable of receiving a DC current sent from the DC power supply unit and outputting a DC current to the control unit with a first voltage. A voltage stabilizing circuit;
In a state where the voltage of the direct current sent from the direct current power supply unit is below a threshold value, the step-up voltage stabilizing circuit performs a boosting process on the direct current, thereby controlling the direct current with the first voltage. The electrotherapy apparatus according to claim 3, wherein output to the unit can be continued.